As many Metro-Vancouver area golf and sportsturf managers know, amendments to the city’s water management plan, now called the ‘Drinking Water Protection Plan’, allow golf courses and sportsfields to follow an approved water management plan versus following arbitrary restrictions imposed in stages 2 and 3.

The WCTA has taken a very active role throughout the amendment process but was having a little trouble getting the final word regarding the water management plan templates being created by Metro for the sportsturf and golf sectors.

Here’s an email chain with Metro; links to the water management plan templates follow:________________________________________

Things have been fairly silent for some time in regards to the water management plan for golf courses and sportsfields so I thought I’d check in with you. I started working on this earlier and have received some resources from a few of our members but have not got very far. Our Board meets this Thursday, will you be able to provide an update on where things stand?

Both water management template plans are now done and have been sent to all municipalities. As you know Stage 1 of the newly updated Drinking Water Management Plan has kicked in on May 1. I believe some municipalities have even started using the new water management plans and have shared them with golf courses. The two plans were developed closely with industry as you know.

Our Board has discussed the new water management templates and is anxious to see the final versions. Please forward to me at your earliest convenience.

Thanks

Thanks for the update Nermine.

It’s good to hear both water management templates have been completed however I have not seen either of these, can you please forward to me? I know the golf version was very close to completion last I checked however we, as industry, have not had any input on the sportsfield side. I’m very doubtful the parks and sportsfield managers are even aware that this exists.

I am so sorry about my late reply, I had a few pressing deadlines that kept me very busy the last while.

I don’t think the Board or yourself need to be anxious; first the plans were developed very closely with industry including the playing fields water management plan. The golf industry had a few chances to review and edit the plan and same with playing fields operators. And second these plans are templates for local governments that they can change or edit when they are working with their golf course or playing field operator to suit their specific needs.

I have attached the two template water management plans for your review here, and please let me know if you have any questions,